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Stories and Photos from St. Ann Center’s Stein Campus on Milwaukee’s Bay View and St. Francis neighborhood, 2801 E. Morgan Avenue.

Clearing the Air at St. Ann Center

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Spending time inside St. Ann Center will truly be a breath of fresh air, thanks to some modern technology that mimics Mother Nature.

A system known as Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI) is being installed at both the Stein and Bucyrus Campuses. “This is another step we’re taking to keep our clients, children and staff healthy during this time of flu and COVID-19,” said Chief Development Officer Chris Jackson.

Outside, nature uses ions (atoms or molecules with an electrical charge) that are created by lightning, waterfalls and ocean waves to break apart unnatural toxins. Inside, the NPBI technology creates ions that are dispersed through a building’s ventilation system. The ions latch onto particles of dust, dander, pollen, etc. and make them come together into large clusters that are easy to trap in an air filtration system.

In the case of viruses, bacteria and mold, the ions bond with these pathogens and disrupt their surface proteins, rendering them harmless.

The NPBI system is being installed by Johnson Controls. Next Door Milwaukee funded this installation for all its Head Start sites, including the Bucyrus Campus childcare wing. Other grants, including one from the Bradley Foundation, covered the cost of the technology throughout the rest of the buildings.

Pumpkin Contest Brings Clients Out of Their Shells

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The Great Pumpkin arrived at the Stein Campus a week early and brought several of his friends with him. Clients from all of the adult units carved out time this month to decorate Styrofoam pumpkins. The result was an amazing just-for-fun contest with 55 entries!

Selecting the pick of the patch was difficult, but five were singled out for being especially gourd-geous:

Funniest Pumpkin: Robert J. (Robert is known for wearing cool sunglasses, and decided to create a self-portrait pumpkin, complete with green shades.)

Most Colorful Pumpkin: Karen Baranowski (Karen loves making jewelry, and so it’s no wonder she bedecked her multicolored creation with beads.)

Scariest Pumpkin: Roger Mai (Roger’s creepy masterpiece features a spooky spider weaving a wonderfully intricate web.)

Most Creative Pumpkin: Mary Collins (Mary added a touch of nature to her pretty pumpkin, perching a butterfly on its head.)

Best in Show Pumpkin: Tracy Smith (Tracy, who can only use one of her hands, used pipe cleaners to add perky personality to her jolly jack-o’-lantern.)

All the pumpkin artists were awarded with ice cream to celebrate their amazing work.

Blessing of the Animals at St. Ann Center

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Animals of all types, shapes and sizes are invited to receive a special blessing on Friday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care.

Deacon Pat LaPointe, Pastoral Coordinator for South Shore Parishes of Milwaukee, will preside at this celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals. The blessing, a beloved annual tradition at St. Ann Center’s Stein Campus, will again take place in the east parking lot. The address is 2801 E. Morgan Ave.

Pet owners should wear masks and keep at least 6 feet apart from others attending. Those who would like a blessing for their pet but don’t want to bring the animal can bring their pet’s picture, collar, leash or toy.

For more information, call Rodican Rose Bonn, St. Ann Center’s Director of Pastoral Care, at (414) 977-5075.

Kids Are Back with Bells (and Masks) On

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A sunny Monday was warm with welcomes as St. Ann Center opened its doors after closing as a precautionary measure prompted by COVID-19. Both the Stein and Bucyrus Campuses are opening in phases, with children returning on June 8 and adult clients on June 11.

Parents with little ones in tow began arriving at 7 a.m. and were greeted by St. Ann Center staff, who did a quick screening. While parents answered health questions, the children watched wide-eyed as a pulse oximeter was slipped onto their fingers. Blood oxygen level and temperature are being measured for everyone who enters the building.

Renner, 5, arrived at the Stein Campus with his little sister Zosia. “It’s going to feel good seeing my friends,” he said. His dad, Josh, has been bringing his children to St. Ann Center since they were infants. “It’s been a lot of fun being home with them,” Josh said. “But at their age, time with their friends is important.”

Next in line was Melissa, dropping off her son Anthony on her way to work. “It’s been a little crazy schedule-wise,” she said about balancing childcare with her job. “This is his first day in the 1-year-old classroom—so he’s pretty excited.”

Another mom, Abby, came in carrying 10-month-old Alice. “It was good, and it was difficult,” she said of nearly three months away from St. Ann Center. “She grew so much, and we did a lot together. But trying to work with two small children running through the house is definitely a challenge.”

At the Bucyrus Campus, twin sisters Nevaeh and Nadia were a little apprehensive.  After their dad got them through screening, Carrie Davis, Director of Childcare, took over.  “Ooh, you’ve forgotten about me, haven’t you,” she crooned, noting the worried look on the girls’ faces. “That’s okay. I haven’t forgotten about you, and I’ve missed you!”

Staff members were as excited about opening day as the parents and kids were. “I was getting bored at home,” said Jenny Farris, a Stein Campus teacher. “I did keep busy doing online trainings and lesson planning.” Lead CNA Rosemarie Alloway spent her first day back preparing for the return of her adult clients. Meantime, her young daughters got caught up with their childcare classmates. “My 3-year-old, Alexis, was up at 6 a.m. with her backpack and her mask on,” she said. “We’re all happy to be back.”

Attention Parents: St. Ann Center will be closed Wednesday, March 18, through at least April 5

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For the safety of our clients, children, volunteers and staff, St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care’s Stein and Bucyrus Campuses will be closed Wednesday, March 18, through at least April 5 due to concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

For updates, please check our website homepage at: www.stanncenter.org

and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stanncenter/

You will not be charged for childcare during this closure. If you already paid for the next two weeks, you will have that money credited to your account. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Childcare Vice President Sr. Lucy Marindany at lmarindany@stanncenter.org.

We greatly apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of national and local health experts regarding when it’s safe to re-open.